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Press Release Broadband Boost To UK Business As part of a government drive to encourage the inventive use of broadband by UK businesses, Digital Content Forum (DCF) announces the launch of its online Broadband Showcase. The new website www.broadbandshowcase.org.uk has been developed as a platform for businesses to showcase how they have used broadband in an original way and to show how it has benefited their company. Created in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, regional and national partners and the Broadband Stakeholder Group, the site aims to promote innovative use of broadband. Digital Content Forum is inviting businesses of every kind to submit their details through the site. They are looking for companies across the UK from every Industry, size and sector to get involved and submit a case study of how their use of broadband has helped their business. Examples of applications of broadband can include; well designed websites and e-commerce companies through to use of web cams and VoIP (voice over IP). Additionally, the website will highlight companies that have developed communications technology which uses broadband in an inventive way. Any company that believes their use of broadband is highly creative is also being invited to submit further details about their business and to enter it into a showcase competition. A panel of leading experts will judge the entries and from them select the twenty companies that exhibit the most visionary use of broadband. The chosen companies will be given a prestigious showcase on the home page along with a link to more detailed information. This will appear on the site in mid-Autumn. This interactive site will demonstrate the tangible business benefits that broadband applications can bring to a company. The showcase is designed to inspire and encourage other companies to take advantage of the broadband technology available. It is also a good marketing opportunity for those companies showcased on the site. As there is the potential for them to collaborate with other companies and launch themselves into new markets. The Digital Content Forum and the government hope this showcase will help push the UK to the forefront of international e-commerce. Stephen Timms, ex-Minister for E-Commerce and Competitiveness has said: ¬Unlike previous technology showcases, which have been static and quickly outdated, this Broadband Showcase ¬will be continually updated. Companies are able to easily upload their own details, so that information about the latest innovations can be passed on quickly and easily. This will allow businesses to benefit from up to date information about emerging technologies and their applications. Digital Content Forum acts as a two-way conduit between Government and business. It is responsible for helping the Government make policies which help British companies of all sizes and for educating businesses about the technology available and its potential impact on their business. The DCF is part of what the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry describe as "…ground-breaking programmes to transform the UK from a poor relation to a digitally rich nation in just a few years.” ** Emma Williams Director of Digital Content Forum said: Broadband offers a wealth of opportunity for high-quality website content. Taken advantage of properly, it can jump-start a business’s growth and even revitalise a flagging company. In a recent survey some 84% of those businesses that are currently connected observed a quantifiable increase in productivity, and 61% say that broadband has produced cost savings.*** This initiative aims to improve business connectivity and encourage broadband take-up. The Digital Content Forum is also keen to encourage interaction between businesses, the brokering of relationships and knowledge sharing with other companies. The online showcase hopes to become an inspirational resource for businesses and a catalyst to refresh British industry. -ends- Notes to Editors *'UK Digital Content: Exploiting the Opportunity, September 2002' Submissions for the showcase are invited from business, public sector or community projects as well as online initiatives and award events. Showcase entries must be designed to inspire social involvement, create economic development or be an innovative, stimulating and visionary piece of broadband content. The twenty most auspicious events, programmes, initiatives and content applications will be showcased on this site About Digital Content Forum (DCF) The DCF forms a two-way conduit between industry and government to gather views and input into policy-making processes. It goes further to broker relationships, develop shared knowledge and undertake activities to promote innovation and excellence in the content sector. About the Website Designers Essence Communications is a multimedia agency, based in Bristol. The company creates digital solutions to help companies put their messages across to an audience in an open, interesting and engaging way. Essence produces websites, CD ROM, DVD, video, presentations and events; it also manages multi-disciplined, informational projects and provides consultancy. It has a history of providing services for Government Departments, Regional Development Agencies and blue chip companies across the UK. For More Information Please Contact |
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